Operation Protective Edge

Cutting Edge Contributors

6:12 PM ET July 15. Gaza fired close to 95 rockets into all parts of Israel today, following a day when there could have been a cease fire.

4:31 PM ET July 15. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon on Tuesday night over the latter's publicly declared opposition to cabinet's decision to accept a cease-fire with Hamas. "At a time when Israel and the Israel Defense Forces are in the middle of a military campaign, it is unacceptable for the deputy minister of defense to attack the national leadership," Netanyahu said in announcing the dismissal. - Haaretz

3:25 PM ET July 15. Iron Dome shoots down rocket over Kiryat Gat. Iron Dome shoots down a rocket over Kiryat Gat, after sirens sounded in the city and the surrounding area. - Times of Israel

2:45 PM ET July 15. A US State Dept. spokesperson said of the Israeli response to Hamas' rejection of a ceasefire "The Israelis welcomed the ceasefire, the cabinet supported it and as Hamas continued to fire rockets, Israel declined to respond for several hours." - Jerusalem Post

2:42 PM ET July 15. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will consult Egyptian leader Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on July 16 about the proposed ceasefire. This came after a rejection of that ceasefire by Hamas. Abbas will also visit Turkey on July 18 to consult with Muslim allies and other powers. -- WAFA news.

1:00 PM ET July 15. A 38-year-old Israeli man was killed by a mortar shell fired from Gaza near the northern border with Israel. The first casualty of Gaza's missile atatcks in eight days of atatcks and over 1200 missiles fired.

12:01 PM ET July 15. A heavy barrage of Gaza rocket attacks just occured over Tel Aviv as this is being written. No injuries reported.

10:17 AM ET July 15. The Israeli Air Force renewed its strikes on Gaza Strip, following Hamas's refusal to accept an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. There was at least one airstrike in Gaza City and another in Khan Yunis. Hamas had fired at least 47 rockets since Israel suspended operations at 9 AM local time. -- Israel National News.

9:20 AM ET July 15. "Agreeing to a ceasefire is agreeing to allow Hamas to continue developing weapons." - Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said at a press conference. Liberman believes Israel should head for the ground offensive and do what it can to elimininate the total of Hamas' theats. He would like to see the IDF take over managment of Gaza permanently.

8:01 AM ET July 15. Prime Minister Netanyahu has given the order to resume responses to the Gaza rockets five-hours after it had held off any strikes as it respected the Egyptian-attempted cease fire. Hamas had not stopped and fired more than 40 rockets into Israel since the "start" of the cease fire deal.

7:33 AM ET July 15. Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to the German foreign minister, said that while Israel will ovey the cease fire, but said that if Hamas refuses, Israel will not only begin its campaign again, but it will expect the world support of Israel's goals.

7:30 AM ET July 15. A major barrage of rockets flew over Israel in all areas. Alarms rang throughout the country. There has been no agreement from Hamas on the ceasefire.

6:25 AM ET July 15. A barrage of 22 rockets fired from Gaza Strip targeted southern Israel, the Shfela region and the Haifa area hours after Israel agreed to an Egyptian ceasefire initiative effective as of 9 a.m. local time. A Hamas spokesman claimed that his group had not received official word of a ceasefire proposal, while repeating that Hamas demands must be met before it will lay down its arms. -- Jerusalem Post.

6:15 AM ET July 15. Alarms have been heard in Rehovot, Ness Ziona Rishon Lezion, Gedera, Yavne, Sdot Negev and Netivot. Two interceptions by Iron Dome over communities in area. Code Red sirens were also heard earlier in Eshkol Regional Council, and in Binyamina, Zichron Yaakov, Hadera and the Haifa area, warning of incoming rockets launched from Gaza. Sirens blared in southern Israel, including in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council where a rocket explodes near a kibbutz. Iron Dome intercepted two missiles. -Jerusalem Post.

6:14 AM ET July 15. Iron Dome intercepted a rocket over Rehovot, while other missiles struck open areas near Gaza. Sirens were heard over the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council and Ashkelon, as well as Rehovot, Nes Ziona, Gedera, Yavne, Rishon Letzion. -- Jerusalem Post.

6:12 AM ET July 15. Iron Dome intercepted two rockets over Netivot. An Israeli soldier was injured by shrapnel and is expected to recover. -- Martin Barillas

6:08 AM ET July 15. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said today that Israel had accepted Egypt's ceasefire proposal to Gaza. In a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Netanyahu vowed that Israel will intensify its military campaign should Hamas reject the ceasefire. -- Jerusalem Post.

6:05 AM ET July 15. A top Hamas official said the terrorist group is still considering Egypt's proposed ceasefire. However, he said that there is yet no official position on the part of Hamas. -- Martin Barillas